Bath-time dangers [yup] and solutions

Baths are soothing, healing and relaxing, but the length you stay in your bath and what you put in and around it can have some major effects on your health.

Since I take a bath to ease pain several times a week, it’s become pretty clinical in a way. I fill up the tub, add a bucketload of Epsom salt and in I go. But once in a while, I will spruce up bath-time to create a spa-like zen moment with candles, essential oils [OK I use oils often] and fanciful flora. 

Here's the deal though. When you're in the bath your pores open up and your biggest organ, the skin, absorbs everything you got going on in that bathwater. So those bits of nature you're tossing in [rose petals, fruits, herbs, etc] can be a bit problematic if they aren't organic and/or are sprayed with pesticides and other toxins.

I know it's soothing to watch a rose petal float by while you dream of unicorns and daisies but let's get real people, your health is way more important than a pretty bathtub full-o-toxins. Make sure you are using non-toxic products in and around your bath to ensure a truly healthy experience to this longtime ritual.

Additionally, there is an inevitable thing that happens when you take a bath; You detox through your pores which means your toxins are actually floating around in your bathwater. The American College of Healthcare Sciences recommends soaking in an Epsom bath for only 10 minutes, stating that past that, the body will reabsorb the toxins it released. Don’t forget to take a quick shower rinse post-bath to wash the toxins off!

Here are my top picks for a soothing, safe and healthy bath. [click through to purchase]

Finely ground dead sea salt: It absorbs much faster.

Essential oils: Can help with lymph drainage, relaxation, detox, etc. Below are my fave brands.

Bubble bath: Instead of using the suds producing chemical SLS [ew] EO and Deep Steep (both below) use a coconut-based ingredient that causes the same type of foam and bubbles.

Food grade HP: For detox and energy.

100% natural beeswax candles: I stick these votives/tea lights into my old candle jars. They have no scent which allows you to get creative with your essential oil blending.

Drain cover: I like my bathtub to be full to the brim so I can cover my entire body. The cover below stops the water from draining when it reaches a certain point. [Just don’t forget you are filling the tub as it can overflow!]

Bath ball water filter: I toss this in as I fill up the bath before adding any salts or oils. It cleans up the chlorine and believe me when I say that when I do not use it, I can smell the difference in the water!

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5458346/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5451977/ https://www.gardensalive.com/product/systemic-pesticides-poison-every-pore-of-your-plants